Aaron and Alexander: The Most Famous Duel in American History

I purchased this book to accommodate my recent Hamilmania. We have been listening to the Hamilton Musical soundtrack (on the Amazon Music app!) and my whole family is obsessed. My children (ages seven and two) ask to listen to Hamilton every time we are in the car. I checked out this book from the library to share with my sixth grade students (who still love well-written picture books!) last school year. I knew I wanted to own a copy to both share with my own children and have in my classroom library as well. Don Brown is a well-known nonfiction children's author. I can always count on his writing to be both informational and high interest for kids. His book about September 11 is a must-have for all children's libraries. I actually had the pleasure of meeting Brown at a recent literacy conference. This book does not disappoint. The parallels between the lives of Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton are almost uncanny, which is the ultimate main idea of this book. The illustrations help the young reader to understand the parallels. This is a higher-level text and appropriate for children grades 3 and beyond. Brown admits in his author's note that he tends to side with Aaron Burr. As a Hamilnerd myself, I will forgive him for that.

The Broadway hit "Hamilton" has focused a spotlight on the ancient rivalry between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. In this beautifully illustrated children's book, author Don Brown lays out the basics of how their relationship developed, devolved and eventually led to the duel that ended Hamilton's life and cut short Burr's political career.Since the names of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr are on the tongues of many people these days - both young and old - this book is timely in helping young readers to capture an appreciation of this important period in our young nation's history. This story may also provide a sense of perspective that the animus we have seen between political rivals in 2016 is not just a 21st Century phenomenon, but has its roots in the early days of the republic.

My 5 year old son is obsessed with the Revolutionary War and Alexander Hamilton (thanks to Daddy's obsession with the musical Hamilton). We homeschool and I get really excited about books that make history come alive for children. The illustrations are lovely, and the comparisons and parallels between Burr and Hamilton are intriguing. There are a few typos in the book (I am a former teacher so very very picky about these things) but I always use typos as a teachable moment for my kids. I also appreciated that the book wasn't violent or gory when it came to the war or eventual dual. It is definitely appropriate for mature 5 year olds. So thankful this was written!

I bought this for my gifted 5 year old who is obsessed with Hamilton the Musical. This book is not very well written. It's like it's written for adults. I wish it was written more for the 5-9 year old kids in mind that it claims this book is for. The idea is great, but I'm an adult and felt like, jeez, couldn't this have been written more in a way that kids would enjoy it?An example: "Young Alexander saw ships not as a lark but as a livelihood." Really, as there no more accessible way to get that same idea across to children? My son has an amazing vocabulary and even that was beyond his grasp.

This was a perfect book for my 5 year old son who is obsessed with the musical Hamilton. It has kept his attention through repeated readings and he will now often ask for it.

Well done - I love children's books that explain out American history and heritage - and I love to read these children's books as I always learn something new from them.

A great book for the #Hamilkid in your life. My 5 year old is VERY into this, though it's probably better for a slightly older child

Perfect book written in children's language. Hamilton tickets accompanied several books written on different levels for the family holiday gift!